Around Easter, we noticed something. Something big, something awful, something…gross. What started as a little speck on Timmy’s hindquarters has, seemingly overnight, evolved into a big, massive, ugly… wart.

We waited a few days hoping it would shrink and disappear, but evidently, this wart had other plans. To be safe (and also to put an end to the many remarks and stares on the street), we decided to have it checked out at the Annex Animal Hospital. Apparently, these warts are fairly common, particularly in puppies and young dogs. Cysts usually appear in the leg-area, as well as around the face. The location of the wart and Timmy’s age really leaned toward that diagnosis, which would have been great as these types of warts usually disappear on their own. The vet was a bit concerned however, because it had simply grown so fast. This type of wart or cyst could have been something quite bad. Removal would mean surgery! Nooooooo!

To make sure we had the proper diagnosis, the vet took a number of samples of the cyst cells, and sent them off to a lab.

One of our favourite activities to do on the weekends is head to the dog park with coffee in hand for some serious exercise (for the dog…not for us!) Lately on the weekends we’ve been going to Trinity-Bellwoods because it has a fun crowd, is usually quite busy, its large and has lots of trees for the humans to stand under. At Trinity Timmy just runs and runs and runs. Until today.

Timmy had just completed his business on a hill when he came over to me, limping. He was trying to lick his paw and then he started to cry. We took him to a quiet corner and tried to examine him. He tried to bite us and yelped in pain. It was so sad! Almost instantly the paw began to swell up. Saturday at 1:30. Our choices: Go to the local vet hospital (across the street) before closing time, or wait and see if it improves and risk having to cab up to the after hours emerg later this weekend. We opted for #1. We popped into Queen W. Animal Hospital and asked if they could see us. We aren’t patients there, but after our experience, we would definitely consider it. They squeezed us in after the clinic closed at 2, and were so friendly and caring to our little pup. He had to be muzzled while they checked for a break or puncture wound, just in case, and the whole time the paw swelled steadily.

In the end, it seems he was simply stung by a bee. He got a shot of Benadryl, and instructions for his care over the next few days. $130 later, we have a healthy, and dozy pup! Looks like its going to be a quiet weekend for us!

Well, it was Tim Tam’s first day with his dog walker. We opted to sign up for 2 puppy vists per day, where they play with him solo, take him for a pee, etc. By all accounts the visit went well, and its good for Tim Tam to meet new people, as well as have someone looking after him while we’re at work. “John” said that Tim was very affectionate, and managed to only pee a little bit on the floor. Ah well.
After work, we were due at the vet’s for his first checkup since we’ve had him. We are now patients at the Annex Animal Hospital, which only meant one thing: Taking the streetcar. Tim handled it well! He was very curious…no growling or barking…just staring in blind, frozen, fear.

The vet was impressed with his overall health, and the sweet personality of our little guy. And then she had the gall to say he had “teeny, tiny testicles”. Barely there! OUCH! I’m sure that wasn’t too good for his masculinity!

Overall, a very exciting and challenging day for our brave little guy!